GREENVILLE, Pa.—Thiel College, a leading liberal arts college in northwest Pennsylvania, and Evans Square, an independent senior living facility in Conneaut Lake, announced a partnership Tuesday that will grant residents access to all the academic, athletic and cultural programming at the Greenville-based College.

The program includes two specially created college-level courses available exclusively for residents of Evans Square that will be taught in the facility’s Educational Innovation Center, which will be connected to Thiel College’s network.

Evans Square is a 40-unit complex apartment complex. It opened this spring and was built by the Hudson Companies, a general construction, development, and acquisitions company located in Hermitage, Pa.

Tyler Hudson, a partner in Hudson Companies, said during Tuesday’s announcement ceremony that included residents, elected officials and their representatives from state and local offices and Thiel College officials, he was excited how Hudson and Thiel College teamed to put “education in the community.”

“Since its founding in 1866, Thiel College has been a welcoming place of inclusion,” Vice President for College Advancement Roberta Leonard said. “We are really excited to welcome members of the Evans Square community to our cultural events and sporting events. (Evans Square residents) will be able to take classes for free at Thiel College.”

During the ceremony, Thiel College identification cards and course catalogs were distributed to the residents of the facility. Celebration of the collaboration continues at 7 p.m. Sept. 15 when residents of the complex will be the recognized during Thiel College’s football game against Geneva College.

“As a former teacher, I feel this is a great opportunity for non-traditional students to continue learning well into the later stages of life,” said state Representative Parke Wentling. “I applaud Thiel College and Evans Square for creating this unique partnership and look forward to witnessing its success.”

Brooks was also happy to be part of the unique partnership.

“I’m pleased to have been a part of this wonderful, one-of-a-kind project and partnership between Thiel College and Evans Square,” state Senator Michele Brooks said. “I thank everyone who has worked so hard to advance this mutually beneficial collaboration, opening the doors of opportunity to more intergenerational friendships, activities, information and fulfillment.”